December is already looking very good Gold Coasters, summer is here, it’s almost Christmas, 2021 isn’t far away and we get to frolic in our sparkly city, sipping frosty beers and exploring all the epic things going on here.

The latest of which, happily, is the opening of a brand new Miami brewery combining both said drinking of frosty beers AND exploring epic things.

It’s called Precinct Brewing Co. and it’s the work of The Imlach Group who, as you know, are the creators of SO MANY impressive local venues including Bine Beer Bar, Mr Hizola’s, Hideaway Kitchen & Bar, Nightjar, Nightcap and The Backyard Cafe.

They’re a busy lot but no rest for the wicked as they say and that absolutely works for us.

Precinct Brewing Co. can be found on Christine Avenue and if you’ve ventured down there lately, you’ll have seen the colourful, graffiti-covered entrance promising a world of good times within. As is the norm with anywhere that has the names Simone Tunbridge, Scott Imlach and Michael Craighead on it.

Not to mention Head Brewer Jeremy James, who has more experience brewing a tasty drop than any of us have drinking it – which is a lot because we all Gold Coasters.

But back to the venue. Once you’ve stepped through the doors you’ll be welcomed into a sleek, all white space with greenery dripping from up high, their signature art adorning one wall and an absolute slew of tanks brewing up some tasty treats.

Precinct features 12 taps and four direct-pour tanks behind the bar meaning there’ll be sixteen brews to taste and Jeremy has quite the penchant for unique tastes. Mango-flavoured Kettle Sour anyone? Yep.

For opening week, there’ll be four new beers and a few from local brewers to get things started PLUS all of the Mr Consistent cocktails, a range of local, sustainable vegan wines, Hard FIZZ Seltzer and local spirits. It’s pretty much the best selection of sips around and we are absolutely pumped.

Of course, there’s food to go with all those drinks and it’s delicious, as you’d expect.

There’s starters like Precinct Fried Chicken, Fried Crispy Zucchini and Wagyu Beef Bao. But we’ve tried and tested the gourmet pizzas, so share a Parma, Italian Pork Sausage or Capricciosa variety.

What more could you want? Nothing is what.

Precinct Brewing Co. opens Friday 4th December and you should definitely get down there.

LOCATION: 17 Christine Avenue, Miami
HOURS: 11am until 10pm Monday to Thursday, 11am until midnight Friday, 12pm unil midnight Saturday and 12pm until 10pm Sunday

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

If romance is what you’re craving, consider it well and truly served on the GC this Valentine’s Day. Hubba hubba.

We’ve rounded up five Cupid-approved spots where the love-o-meter is set firmly to high, making it very easy to spoil yourself and your favourite person with a Valentine’s Day – or night – worth remembering.

Please note: unless stated otherwise, all Valentine’s Day specials mentioned take place on Saturday, 14 February.

RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast

When it comes to elegant romance, RACV Royal Pines Resort is doing it properly (and deliciously) with two standout dining options.

For couples who appreciate finesse, Arakawa is serving a chef-curated omakase experience that celebrates the artistry and seasonal flavours of traditional Japanese dining. Expect beautifully presented plates, premium produce, and a sprinkle of adventure as you let your chef take the reins for a night.

Then, if your love language is sharing plates and lingering conversations over glasses of wine, Amici brings Mediterranean-inspired flavours designed to be passed, poured, and enjoyed together. Vibrant, rustic, and effortlessly romantic – just add wine!
Where: Ross St, Benowa

Green Fields Bar + Restaurant

Twinkling lights? Tick. Degustation menu? Tick. Intimate, effortlessly romantic setting? Triple tick. Green Fields is putting on a Valentine’s Day experience that’s basically Cupid’s dream itinerary.

The night begins with a complimentary drink on arrival, followed by a refined six-course degustation menu featuring tomato and lemongrass gazpacho, beef tartare with crispy shallots, potato gnocchi with duck ragù, chargrilled barramundi, crispy pork belly, and a dreamy floating island with almond praline to finish.

Running from 5–9pm, this one’s all about slowing down, savouring the moment, and letting the food do some of the flirting.
Where: 94 Laver Drive, Robina

QT Gold Coast

QT Gold Coast doesn’t do average, and Valentine’s Day is no exception. If your idea of romance includes bold flavours, playful energy, and a little drama (the good kind), QT has you covered.

Over at Yamagen, romance is officially hot on the menu with a decadent nine-course omakase curated by Culinary Director Adam Lane, complete with a Pommery Champagne welcome salute- a dream date for couples whose love language is fine dining.

Prefer something a little more under-the-stars? QT’s Twilight Feast invites you to dine poolside in a private cabana, sipping Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial on arrival before sharing four indulgent courses beneath the night sky.

And for those swapping romance for friendship bracelets, Galentine’s High Tea, served daily throughout February, at FIXX Cafe is dripping in pink perfection, with petite delights, candy-cotton cloud drinks and optional bottomless upgrades for those who like their tea with a little extra fizz.
Where: 7 Staghorn Ave, Surfers Paradise

Ember

Fire is flickering, sparks are flying, and Ember by Fire Baby is officially bringing the heat this Valentine’s Day. Enter: the Ember Stone set menu ($100pp), a wood-fired feast designed for serious food lovers.

You’ll kick things off with Pacific oysters with Champagne mignonette and ocean trout sashimi, before diving into fire-kissed favourites like crispy half chicken with smoked sauce and O’Connor’s Superior MB 5+ rump cap with chimichurri. Add country fries with rosemary salt and finish on a sweet note with vanilla crème brûlée and popcorn ice cream- because dessert is non-negotiable. Ember is a sure bet for couples who bond best over exceptional food.
Where: 10 Welch Street, Southport

Paradise Centre

If Cupid had a multi-level HQ, Paradise Centre would be it. From 1–15 February, the iconic Surfers Paradise precinct is serving up ten Valentine’s Day offerings, meaning you can flirt, feast, play, and soak your way through the season without ever leaving the building.

Kick things off with Ritas & Romance at El Camino Cantina, where the limited-edition Red Hot Rita (hello chilli-rim marg) is made to share (or not…), bringing the spice on Valentine’s Day. Next, why not introduce a little healthy competition at the MANIAX Axe Throwing with their Valentine’s in Valhalla offering, complete with private axe lanes and Viking-inspired cocktails?

Maybe you’re after something a little more classic- retro even. And for that, Zone Bowling has you covered with a bowl-and-bevy deal to keep the good times rolling. Game lovers can lock into 60 minutes of unlimited Time Play at Timezone, escape artists can Escape the Friend Zone at Padlock’d with 20% off group bookings, and dessert devotees will want to pre-order Gelato Messina’s showstopping Valentine’s Day Pavlover Tart – a chocolate-and-passionfruit masterpiece made to share (or not).

For peak relaxation, Lan Bathhouse is delivering the ultimate self-love or shared-indulgence moment with a Private Soak of Love for Two or a solo Lover’s Retreat for One, while Gotcha Fresh Tea is keeping things sweet with a buy-one-get-one-free tea deal made for strolling, sipping, and sharing. Cute!
Where: 2 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise

Words by Chelsea Ipsen

So we hear you’re sans a significant other. Don’t worry, we got you – and haven’t you heard, single is the new relationship! Or maybe it’s just us saying that. Who cares, because what’s more of a vibe than knocking back an entire pack of Tim Tams for dinner while you binge watch MAFS like no one’s watching? Because no one is watching.

Soak up that glorious singledom and being responsible for no one but me, myself and I (and my dog) because it turns out there are loads of things you could be doing to fill up your cup as the Gold Coast’s most eligible Bachelor or Bachelorette.

Try all the foods
One of the best things about being single is being able to eat whatever you crave without compromise. Feel like gelato for dinner? You got it! Cooking not on the menu? Uber Eats from your favourite Thai it is. Craving Jimmy Wah’s but got no one to go with? Who cares! There’s something we love about a solo dinner date. No eating something you don’t want because the person you’re eating with is fussy/boring/not vibing the same menu as you. Our favourite spots for solo dinner dates? Try Rosella’s, Local or Cantina in Mermaid Beach for epic eats and people watching.

Get crafty
Let your inner Picasso run wild at one of the multitude of adult craft workshops on offer around the GC. Mesi Studio is one of the Coast’s newest craft, paint and sip venues, with textured art classes taking centre stage #yippee. The Craft Parlour, offers everything from floral embroidery to bead & sips and kokedama workshops. Or if you like to get your hands dirty, why not try a clay and sip experience at Stone Studio & Co in Currumbin?  Come alone or come with a crew, either way you’re guaranteed a good time.

Shop ‘til You Drop
If you’re anything like us, there’s a good chance your retail therapy will cost more than your actual therapy #yolo. We’ve got some of the country’s best shopping centre’s in our backyard, so it’d be rude not to shop up a storm at Pacific Fair if you ask us. If you’re being budget-concious (or just love a good bargain) head north to Harbour Town Outlet Shopping Centre. They’ve got all your favourite brands for loads less with a spiffy eats and sips precinct to boot.

Self Care’s The Word
Spa days are the ultimate single gal good time. There are plenty of places to indulge on the Coast from escape-for-a-week retreats like Gwinganna to the luxe and spa-kling new embodiment of bliss, the Spa By JW. Nothing says ‘self care’ like a soak session at Soak Bathhouse. Go solo or grab your girl gang and cycle through the warm magnesium baths and cold plunge pools. If you’re wanting more – add on a luxe massage or solo infrared sauna session, listen to an audiobook while you sweat it out and we promise you’ll feel a million bucks for it. Smooth skin and super chill vibes await.

Let’s Get Physical
Hit the pavement and get your heart rate up at one of the many run clubs calling the GC home. Our personal fave? Unfit Run Club, because who doesn’t want to finish a jog with a jug of beer! A way to get fit AND meet new peeps? Sign us up.
If you’re more about the great outdoors then explore one of our incredible Hinterland hiking trails. If you’re lucky and the weather gods have been good to you, you’ll even get a solid waterfall spotting – perfect spot for a refreshing dip.

Movie Date
It might feel cliché but there’s just something so liberating about taking a solo movie date. Because when was the last time you went to the cinemas, be honest? Book yourself some tix to that rom-com you’ve been dying to see (Gold Class, because you deserve it) and treat yourself to your favourite sweetie treaties. No compromising and being forced to watch the 456^th Equalizer movie. Hot tip, DENDY at Queen Street Village, often screens previews and opening night specials including a glass of sparkling wine with your ticket purchase #fancy.

Get Your Mermaid On
‘Oh naurrrr Cleo’ we hear you say, but we know deep down you’ve been dying to have your mermaid moment and there’s no better place than Currumbin Rock Pools. The ultimate sanctuary for singles, pack a bag with a book and a baguette and you’ll be set for at least a couple of hours to soak up the tranquil vibes. If saltwater is your preference, perch up at Talle Creek or one of our other incredible beachside spots and ground yourself while you become one with the ocean. Bliss.

Bingo’s Not Just for Old Ducks
Get the girls (and guys if they must) together for a night of ugly laughing with Miami Marketta’s iconic Drag Queen Bingo. Thing big costumes and even bigger personalities, it’s a fixture on the GC events calendar for a reason. There’s a DJ spinning your favourite camp tunes and bringing the vibes all night long. The best bit? You can book in tables of two, four or six so grab a bestie or five and get ready for the night of your lives.

Get Your Exhibitionist On
Not like that, you weirdo. We mean to get better acquainted with the Arts at HOTA, one of Queensland’s most impressive Galleries and a very welcome addition to the Coast’s art and culture scene. The exhibits change every few months so there’s always something fresh to look at. Finish it off with a bite or beverage at HOTA’s rooftop bar, The Exhibitionist. Sounds like a pretty perfect day.

Learn to Surf
It’s pretty much a rite of passage if you’re a Gold Coaster, so if you can’t surf then what have you been doing?! Currumbin Alley is renowned for being one of the most beginner friendly spots to catch a wave, so book a spot at one of ripper surf schools and let your inner grom out. Currumbin Alley Surf School even have a 6 week surfing challenge so you can find some mates (or a mate) and put those new skills to work.

Chill out
If there’s ever been a time or a reason to focus on me, myself and I, it’s when you’re single. So what better way to dig deep and honour yourself than with the legends at Cool 2 Be Conscious. They’ve brought community breathwork, meditation and ocean dips to the masses and there’s a reason why hundreds – yes, hundreds – rock up rain, hail or shine for their sessions each and every week. As Australia’s largest breathwork movement, it’s the perfect spot to dip your toes into the concept of breathwork (pun intended). Sounds wholesome, because it is.

Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski.